25: Auction

Three days later, at the Blackstone Star System branch of the Traveler Merchant Guild.

"Ms. An Yu, Mr. Zhang, this way, please."

Inside the magnificent hall, a man wearing a blue butler's uniform gestured respectfully toward a floating lift leading downward.

"The first basement level is a self-service dining area. It gathers the eighteen major cuisines of the Empire, and all the standard ones are available. If you require any special or rare food, please inform me in advance."

"The second basement level is a leisure area. We have transplanted high-quality hot springs from the Blue Lake Galaxy, which can effectively repair damaged cells. In addition, there is various state-of-the-art training equipment..."

"The third basement level is the Grand Arena. Tonight at seven o'clock, there will be a B-class Galaxy Beast fighting exhibition..."

"The fourth basement level..."

The butler introduced everything methodically: "Additionally, to the right of the restaurant on the first basement level, there is an escort hall. If you two esteemed guests have any needs, you are free to select up to two high-quality escorts; they have all been trained and genetically adjusted."

"Of course, if you are not satisfied with their appearance, you can use the genetic blending pool there to customize a bionic robot to your liking..."

"That won't be necessary. Just take us directly to the auction floor."

An Yu interrupted, but then seemed to remember something and turned to look at Zhang Huaiyuan with interest:

"I almost forgot, this is your first time here. Would you like to look around?"

"Forget it."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head. Although he was interested in quite a few technologies here, the auction was the most important thing right now; it would be a huge loss if he missed it.

Of course, there was another key issue: he had no money.

Previously, his salary was only 200,000 Star Coins per month. As for the 1.5 million per month after being promoted to Chief Researcher, unfortunately...

This month's salary hadn't been paid yet.

"Then let's go."

An Yu didn't ask further and instructed the butler.

"Very well, the auction is on the ninety-ninth basement level. Please hold on, esteemed guests."

Seeing this, the butler stepped forward and entered the floor number.

Instantly, the machine beneath their feet maintained a stable and rapid state, descending quickly.

Zhang Huaiyuan looked around, feeling somewhat surprised.

He discovered that this entire guild branch was actually built inside the planet.

And this entire planet had undergone massive renovations; the soil was infused with a large amount of alloy materials, making it difficult for ordinary planet-destroying cannons to damage the interior.

"Hmm... these structures have aspects that can be learned from..."

Zhang Huaiyuan analyzed the technology within calmly.

A qualified Researcher must never forget to keep learning.

Five minutes later, the lift stopped descending and docked in front of a separate electronic door.

Clearly, for the sake of privacy, the Traveler Merchant Guild's internal auction eliminated the possibility of clients meeting each other.

"Two esteemed guests, according to the invitation, your location is Room 068. Every box in the auction has adopted the Empire's latest anti-detection technology, so please rest assured."

The blue-clad butler bowed elegantly halfway, stepped back two paces, and said: "The auction will begin in two hours. I do not have the qualifications to enter, so I will wait here. Please inform me if you two have any needs."

"Alright, thank you."

At the same time, a white light swept across the door.

"Information verification passed. Welcome, two esteemed guests."

An electronic voice sounded, and the door opened in response.

On the table behind the door lay two instruction manuals for enchanted supernatural powers.

Just like the item Zhang Huaiyuan used to learn the language back then, one only needed to open it to have the information directly imprinted into their mind.

Of course, this kind of thing could only be used to learn some simple knowledge; trying to instill profound academic knowledge would be useless, serving only to increase the burden on the brain.

"Set the panoramic view to woods, lakeside, and light rain."

According to the operation guide, An Yu reached out and swiped on the holographic touch screen. Instantly, the surrounding space transformed, and the sound of pitter-patter rain began to play.

"You don't mind if I set it like this, do you?"

"Of course. Does the Young Lady like the sound of rain?"

Zhang Huaiyuan asked with a smile.

"Hmm... my mother's supernatural ability was rain. When I was young and afraid to sleep alone, she would always cast a light rain, saying that wherever there was the sound of rain, she would be there. Later, I got used to it and only felt more at ease in the sound of rain..."

"I'm sorry, Young Lady."

Zhang Huaiyuan said apologetically upon hearing this.

After his authorization was raised to the highest level, he could see all the data in the Dark Annihilation information database, so he naturally knew that her mother had died in a large Disaster Zone twenty years ago.

"It's fine; I'm the one who ruined the mood."

Under the slightly dim light, An Yu's expression was different from her usual calmness; she appeared somewhat dazed, and it was unclear whether she was sad or relieved.

She wasn't sure why she would tell a subordinate these things. Perhaps it was the other party's outstanding performance during this period that made her feel he was a friend she could trust.

The room fell into silence, with only the fine threads of rain falling onto the lake, making an orderly sound.

Until two hours later.

A light screen in the center of the room suddenly lit up, projecting a bright main stage.

"Attention, esteemed guests, the auction will begin in 5 minutes. Please pay attention to the screen information..."

"Attention, esteemed guests..."

"It's starting."

Zhang Huaiyuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

"I promised you earlier that I would allow you to choose one auction item as a reward for your contribution in the previous operation, but... the value of some items might exceed what I can afford."

An Yu's expression returned to normal as she spoke softly.

"I understand, but I'll just take a look at these things."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded, his eyes locked intensely on the center of the light screen.

A moment later, a familiar fat man arrived at the center of the main stage; it was none other than Supervisor Dak.

"Esteemed guests, on behalf of the Traveler Merchant Guild, I welcome you all."

He wore his trademark smile and gently pressed a mechanism on his hand.

A display stand rose from the ground, on which a dark gray revolver sat quietly.

"Without further ado, let us officially begin this internal auction. All information regarding the VIPs this time will be kept strictly confidential by the Traveler Merchant Guild, so please bid with confidence."

"The first item is an enchanted revolver modified by Master Karen, the Honorary Vice Dean of the Imperial Royal Research Institute, during his youth. It also comes with 3 matching bullets. I don't think I need to say much about Master Karen's strength; whether in terms of collection value or research value, it is a top-tier choice among its kind. The starting price is 500 million Star Coins, and each bid increment must be no less than 100 million Star Coins. Begin!"

"Six hundred million."

As soon as his voice fell, Room 033 appeared on the left side of the light screen, bidding 600 million.

"It's finally started!"

Zhang Huaiyuan suppressed his excitement and focused his mind on the auction item through the light screen.

【Karen's Primary Enchanted Revolver】

Enchantment Effects: Burst, Rapid Fire, Automatic Target Locking (10 kilometers).

Construction Scheme...

Instantly, complex circuits and patterns fed back into his mind.